CFE Pistol Powder

[StarshooterX]

Greetings! I load 3 calibers: 9mm Luger, .38 Special and .45 ACP. I have been reading marketing material from Hodgdon, and CFE Pistol seems to be the ideal powder to match all three pistol loading needs. I am typically using plated bullets in the normal or mid range of velocities. Not looking for a competition round but just rounds for general shooting and practice.

The marketing propaganda looks like this is a one stop shop powder for my 3 calibers, but just wanted some real life support to know if this is worth a try. I already see it takes a hefty charge compared to some, so that skews the price per round up slightly. BUT, the advantage of buying one powder for all 3 calibers overrides that in my opinion.

Any feedback on CFE Pistol Powder??? THANKS!!!!

 

[novalty]

Auto Comp is another available powder that would probably fit the bill too. Powder Valley has 8# jugs of both $127 for CFE Pistol and $132 for Auto Comp.

 

[JJP161]

I have been experimenting with CFE pistol in .40 and .45 out of necessity because I couldn't find in W231 or HP38 for so long. Like you I load mostly plated bullets and I'm not looking for a competition round. With that said I have had some decent results with CFE in .45 but it won't be replacing my W231 anytime soon. So I will certainly continue to work up some loads for it but at the present if W231 is available I will stick with it. I find better accuracy and consistency with the 231 and 231 has a wider margin for error it seems. Many of the loads for CFE have a very narrow range for example with a Berry's 180 gr. FP the range 5.9 - 6.5, I always like to try to find powders with a wider range so if my powder drops vary I have some more room for error.

 

[ddraper]

I bought some CFE Pistol Powder to try out on 9mm. Haven't had a chance yet.

After looking at load data I have come up with the following for my first loads when I get around to trying it out.

Berry's 124 grain Thick Plated Hollow Base Round Nose
Federal Primer
5.1 or 5.2 grains CFE Pistol Powder
1.150 COL

I would chrono those loads and see how they do. Looking for around 1050fps for my purposes.

 

[StarshooterX]

I bought some CFE Pistol Powder to try out on 9mm. Haven't had a chance yet.

After looking at load data I have come up with the following for my first loads when I get around to trying it out.

Berry's 124 grain Thick Plated Hollow Base Round Nose
Federal Primer
5.1 or 5.2 grains CFE Pistol Powder
1.150 COL

I would chrono those loads and see how they do. Looking for around 1050fps for my purposes.

If you have a chance to chrono your CFE load in the near future, may I ask you to PM me the results? I wish I had a chrony and I know there are decent ones out there for reasonable prices. Thanks!

 

[StarshooterX]

I have been experimenting with CFE pistol in .40 and .45 out of necessity because I couldn't find in W231 or HP38 for so long. Like you I load mostly plated bullets and I'm not looking for a competition round. With that said I have had some decent results with CFE in .45 but it won't be replacing my W231 anytime soon. So I will certainly continue to work up some loads for it but at the present if W231 is available I will stick with it. I find better accuracy and consistency with the 231 and 231 has a wider margin for error it seems. Many of the loads for CFE have a very narrow range for example with a Berry's 180 gr. FP the range 5.9 - 6.5, I always like to try to find powders with a wider range so if my powder drops vary I have some more room for error.

I am following your thinking precisely. I noted the narrow grain range as you mentioned. When we reloaders "play with fire" especially close to our faces, this is no time to be sloppy with reloads. I use an older Dillon 450 press, and my powder drops have remained quite consistent over the long haul. BUT, this CFE Pistol is an unknown to me, so the drops may wander around some. Excellent point.

 

[Clovishound]

I used a pound of it for 9mm, .38 special and .357 magnum. My impression was that it metered well, and performed well with plated bullets in these calibers. In fact, I picked up a couple bottles of HP38 earlier this year, and after loading a bunch of plated in .38 and .357, I really wish I had CFE pistol on the shelf instead.

 

[Nevada Ed]

+1 with post 3

Hodgdon data with CFE pistol stops when it is at "Standard 9mm" fps in my 3.5" C9 pistol.
It is not really a +P powder but it does well with almost any target speed.
Minimum loads in the 9mm will work my action but the cases do come out a little dirty.

It matches w231 in my 38 and 357 loads.

It works.

 

[sps282]

The CFE pistol powder has been working very well for me in 9mm and .40 S&W, have not tried it in .38 cal. It meters very well with little fluctuation through my powder measure. I have used it only with plated or fmj bullets, not sure it would do well with lead bullets. I load mid range charges and rarely shoot anything close to max loads. Do not know if the claim of "copper fowling eraser" really works or not! Still like W231 a bit better but it is often hard to find locally.

 

[Shoo2tr]

I use both CFE pistol and AutoComp for 9mm, .40S&W, and .45ACP. I was just starting out in reloading when the powder shortage was at it's worst and my research led me to these two powders that were both available and would work for my caliber applications. I'm very pleased with my results so far. For .45ACP the AutoComp works well but in the high GRN range of the charts. I have yet to work up a .38SPL load in either but I will use CFE Pistol for my first .38SPL loads and see how it does.

Both are pretty clean powders, I'd say the CFE Pistol is slightly cleaner but I have been very happy with both. When I was a newbie reloader it was an extra added benefit that both these powders metered very well. In the end I stocked up on both of these powders because they both suit my needs and are easy to work with. Problem solved.

 

[caduceus]

Like most have shot a variety of powders and like them. WST comes to mind for 38 and 45acp. But, powder has been difficult to find so began using CFE pistol powder 1.5 yrs ago, I'm sold. I shoot mostly target loads in 38 and 45 , almost all lead, very few jacketed. I find 5.7 grs cfe pistol pwdr with a either 185 or 200 gr. lswc excellent. Great accuracy, comfortable recoil good velocity. I been so impressed bought a 8lb keg.

 

[Bkreutz]

I like both and use them for everything from a Minor power factor load to a Major power factor load (that is of course after getting the approval of my "powder inspector")

 

[SLT223]

I've loading it to Special to velocities in 357 and 44 cases. It works quite well. Like most mid range powders it seems to work best toward the warmer end of the velocity spectrum.

 

[ddraper]

If you have a chance to chrono your CFE load in the near future, may I ask you to PM me the results? I wish I had a chrony and I know there are decent ones out there for reasonable prices. Thanks!

No problem. I have a few days off and am thinking to load up some rounds. Was going to do it a few days ago but I had to load enough of my standard rounds for 2 practice sessions and a match I have this coming weekend.

 

[MasterTech1960]

Love it.

I am on my fourth pound of CFE pistol. So far I have only loaded it in 9mm . Shot a group with a carbine a few weeks ago (see pic) last time , I swear. Shoots good in my pistols too. Nice powder. The holes up top are ak holes. 22 rounds in the group, at 30 yards.